Network dynamics, economic transition, and policy design\u2014an introduction

Muhamed Kudic,Andreas Pyka,Matthias Müller,Tobias Buchmann,Jutta Günther

doi:10.1007/s43253-021-00038-3

Abstract

Network dynamics, economic transformation, and policy design are closely related phenomena that influence the performance of economic systems in a variety of ways. In this introductory paper, we set the stage for a series of excellent contributions addressing some still largely unexplored questions in this research field. At the core of our introduction, we provide a contextual structuration and classification of the contributions to this special issue. Finally, we address some contemporary issues that deserve some attention since they open up highly interesting opportunities for future research.

Highlights

Network dynamics, economic transformation, and policy design are closely related phenomena that influence the performance of economic systems in a variety of ways
It has long been applied to describe the change of entire economic systems— i.e., from a planned to a market economy (Kornai 1992)
We focus on technologically induced transition processes in the sense of Schumpeter’s notion of creative destruction

Summary

Setting the stage

Structural change is inherent to the process of economic growth and has been a companion of economic development ever since. In many industries and technological areas, we can observe a pronounced R&D cooperation intensity, and the emergence of innovation networks with dynamically changing compositions over time (Hagedoorn 2002; Kudic 2015; Tomasello et al 2017). Individual R&D cooperation activities at the micro level—e.g., between firms, organizations, inventors—are reflected in complex and dynamically emerging and changing network patters at higher aggregation levels These networks can drive— and hamper—innovation and transition processes and are themselves affected by economic and technological transition in various ways. Widely unexplored innovation policy-related issues can be analyzed, which are of theoretical and applied interest In this respect, this special issue encourages theoretical, conceptual, and empirical research contributions on innovation networks, their structure and dynamics in the context of rapidly changing socio-economic environments, system dynamics and failures, systemic interventions, and innovation policy design

Origin and thematic scope

Structure and content of the special issue

Open issues and further research avenues